William F Halsey Jr News

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Halsey (DDG 97), July 30 during an 11 a.m. PDT ceremony at Pier J, Naval Air Station Coronado, Calif. Sen. John McCain of Arizona will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Heidi Cooke Halsey, Anne Halsey-Smith, and Alice “Missy” Spruance Talbot will serve as sponsors of the ship named for their grandfather. Halsey honors U.S. Naval Academy graduate Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. (1882-1959). During World War I, Cmdr. Halsey was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions while in command of USS Benham and USS Shaw during convoy escort duties. Designated a naval aviator in 1935 at the age of 52, he took command of USS Saratoga (CV 3) from 1935 until 1937. In February 1942, then Vice Adm.